Page 29 of The Dead Don’t Scream

His thumb sweeps over the curve of my hip.

“I’d apologize, but we both know I’m proud of myself.”

A shadow passes beneath the door. Slow. Tall. Waiting. The gold ribbon feels heavier around my wrist. Dante follows my stare.

“You should know something before you leave.”

“That sentence has never ended well.”

“The rest of us agreed to tonight.”

“And Callum?”

“Callum planned it.”

My attention returns to him.

“What does that mean?”

“He chose you before Rhys or I saw your application.”

A chill travels over my skin.

“Why?”

“That is a question for the man waiting at the chapel.”

Dante unlocks the door. Fog rolls into the booth and wraps around our legs. The carnival clearing is empty. Callum is gone. A line of black candles burns along the path across from us. Their flames disappear into the corn, each one pointing deeper into the maze. Toward the chapel.

“Go,” Dante says.

I step outside. The cold air feels different now. Heavier. Charged. I glance back. Dante leans against the doorway, red mask watching me.

“Aren’t you chasing me?”

“I don’t need to.”

“Why?”

“Because you want to find him.”

I look at the gold ribbon. I hate that he’s right. Dante gives me a small wave.

“Try not to fall in love with the Scarecrow.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

A low laugh travels through the clearing. Not Dante’s. Callum’s voice emerges from the corn.

“Run, Sloane.”

Every black candle goes out. I run.

RHYS

Dante joins me beside the Ferris wheel with Sloane’s red ribbon wrapped around his fist. His mask is crooked. He looks insufferably pleased.

“You pushed her too far.”